Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Saturday said that 331 Afghan Taliban have been killed, while more than 500 others sustained injuries during Operation Ghazab lil-Haq (Righteous Fury) so far.
Sharing an updated statistics of losses inflicted on the Afghan Taliban regime during the operation till Saturday, 9am, Tarar said that Pakistani forces destroyed 104 Afghan checkposts and took over 22 during ground operations. In addition, he said, 163 tanks and armed vehicles were destroyed as part of the operation.
Fresh clashes between the two bordering nations erupted late Thursday night, with security forces launching Operation Ghazab lil-Haq after the Taliban regime's unprovoked action along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border.
According to the update, 37 locations across Afghanistan were effectively targeted through air operations. The minister said the operation remains ongoing, adding that further updates will be shared as the situation develops.
Security sources said the Pakistan Army targeted multiple Afghan Taliban positions across different sectors early on Saturday in what they described as ongoing retaliatory action along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, with several posts destroyed and infiltration attempts thwarted.
According to officials, in the Zaoba sector, the Afghan Golf and Delta posts were destroyed, while the “New Afghan 8” post was also taken out, forcing enemy personnel to flee.
Positions at the Ariana Complex, Dabgai check post, Afghan police headquarters, and Zakarkhel post were also struck during the operation, sources said.
In the Chitral sector, the Afghan Taliban’s Kandaksy post was severely damaged, while the Khyber post was destroyed, and enemy positions suffered heavy losses.
They said a timely action by the Pakistan Army foiled an infiltration attempt in the Qila Saifullah sector. Terrorist formations were effectively targeted, with multiple militants killed, according to the sources.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump voiced strong support for Pakistan’s military action against the Afghan Taliban under Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, commending Islamabad’s handling of the situation and describing its performance positively.
Speaking to reporters before departing for Texas, Trump was asked about Pakistan’s response to what it called unprovoked aggression by the Afghan Taliban.
When questioned about whether he had been asked to intervene, Trump replied, “Well, I would, but I get along with Pakistan, as you know, very well. Very, very well.
Separately, the United Arab Emirates expressed concern over the renewed tensions between the two countries, urging both sides to exercise restraint and avoid any escalation that could further destabilise the region.
In an official statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasised the importance of prioritising reason and wisdom, and called for the adoption of diplomatic channels to resolve differences.
The ministry stressed that dialogue remains essential to strengthening security and stability in South Asia.
The UAE also reiterated its support for initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue and building trust between the two countries, underscoring the need to fulfil the shared aspirations of their peoples for peace and development.
Earlier on Friday, addressing a press conference, ISPR chief Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that the Afghan Taliban regime used the situation as a pretext to initiate a "so-called action", he added.
Lt Gen Chaudhry stated that firing was carried out in 15 sectors along the Pakistan-Afghan border at 53 different locations, adding that all attacks were effectively repulsed.
Pakistan retaliated with full force after the Afghan Taliban fighters resorted to unprovoked firing along multiple sectors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), including Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram, and Bajaur.
In their retaliatory attacks, Pakistan's armed forces destroyed several key Afghan Taliban posts, while the PAF conducted strikes in Kandahar, Kabul, and Paktia.
As many as 12 security personnel embraced martyrdom while 27 sustained injuries during Pakistan’s retaliatory response, he added.
He said that the retaliatory operation continued under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's directives.
Lt Gen Chaudhry assailed the Afghan Taliban regime for "patronising terrorists," warning that if any act of terrorism or suicide bombing occurs anywhere in Pakistan, the response would target not only the perpetrators but also those providing them shelter or protection.
The ISPR DG said that Afghanistan would have to choose between terror outfits and Pakistan. "Our choice is clear, and we will never hesitate to make a sacrifice for it," he said.
Lt Gen Chaudhry maintained that Pakistan's armed forces are fully prepared on both eastern and western borders, saying the country's interests would be safeguarded at all costs.
He said that the Operation Ghazab lil-Haq would continue until its objectives are achieved.
Pakistan has warned that any further provocation by the Afghan Taliban regime will be met with a decisive and befitting response, the Foreign Office said in a statement on Friday.
In a statement on border clashes with Afghanistan, the FO said Pakistan carried out precise operations in response to repeated terrorist attacks by India-backed militants as well as the latest provocative actions by the Taliban regime.
“In response to repeated terrorist attacks by Fitna-al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan against Pakistan emanating from Afghan soil, as well as the latest unwarranted and provocative actions by the Taliban regime on the night of 26 February, Pakistan’s valiant defence forces have carried out precise operations, inflicting heavy losses on terrorist outfits and targeting their logistical support bases in Afghanistan.”
Pakistan’s actions were undertaken in exercise of its right to self-defence and to ensure the safety and security of its citizens, as well as that of the wider region and beyond, it added.
“Any further provocations by the Taliban regime, or attempts by any terrorist group to undermine the security and welfare of the people of Pakistan, will be met with a measured, decisive, and befitting response,” the FO warned.
